After 6 years in KC, Brandon Flowers enjoying fresh start with Chargers

SAN DIEGO – Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers got beat on a play by wide receiver Malcom Floyd earlier this week in practice.

But to Flowers, that's not necessarily bad.

"Each person is going to have his day," Flowers said. "Offensive-wise, defensive-wise, it's just about competing every day."

Among the reasons Flowers signed as a free agent with San Diego was its potential to win.

After being with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West for six years, Flowers was familiar with the Chargers.

"I played against the Chargers for so long I knew they had an A-1 organization and I knew they had playmakers," said Flowers, who sat out Thursday's practice as coach Mike McCoy continues to rest veteran players.

"I knew last year they were just a few plays away from winning the AFC championship. I feel with myself being here and with the defensive coaches they have, they could elevate my play."

Flowers is coming off his first Pro Bowl season. Covering mostly slot receivers in the Chiefs defense, he had 68 tackles, with a sack and an interception.

But Kansas City declined to bring back Flowers. When Flowers sought a fresh start, he didn't look past the Chargers.

Flowers, who has 17 interceptions in his career, wanted to work with Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano.

"He's a great coach," said Flowers, who's returned three career interceptions for touchdowns.

"He is very detailed and is a guy that makes sure you know your responsibility. It's not just about him being a rah-rah guy, it's getting into the details."

That has the speedy Flowers into the playbook. Flowers admitted it's a chore to learn a new defense.

"It's a big transition being over there six years and the way we played certain routes, that is all I know," Flowers said. "To come here it might be the same terminology, but it means a different thing the way we play routes. It's going to take a lot to getting used to, but I feel like I'm learning on the fly."

"It's nice to be out there with someone who knows what he's doing," Weddle said. "The communication with him as been great."

Same goes for the competition as Flowers is being tested by receivers Eddie Royal — a former teammate at Virginia Tech — Keenan Allen and Floyd.

"These guys are playmakers," the 5-foot-9, 182-pound Flowers said. "The way we go about it, back and forth, the competition pushes each other. When we play other teams, it will make our job easier."

In injury news, cornerback Jason Verrett, the team's first-round pick, skipped team drills as he rehabilitates his right shoulder after offseason surgery. Wide receiver Vincent Brown was idle with a strained right calf.